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Cricket PlayersParthiv & Co. enter the fray as favourites against Ranji Champs
A mere glance at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium wicket is sure to cause some discomfort to batsmen as the track has a fair bit of green cover on the eve of the Irani Cup between Ranji Trophy champions Rajasthan and the Rest of India.
A mere glance at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium wicket is sure to cause some discomfort to batsmen as the track has a fair bit of green cover on the eve of the Irani Cup between Ranji Trophy champions Rajasthan and the Rest of India.
"The pitch will have something for the seamers, but even bounce and good carry will help batsmen too if they play the waiting game," said curator Taposh Chatterjee.
The Parthiv Patel-led Rest of India start as favourites against Rajasthan, which appear depleted with a few of their players struggling with injuries. Rajasthan coach Amit Asawa, however, feels they could still be handful. "I don't over analyse the strength of the opposition. We will take it as just another first class game," he said.
Rajasthan's new-ball bowlers Pankaj Singh and Deepak Chahar have had injury problems, with Pankaj ruled out. Chahar, who took eight wickets on debut, also has niggle in his hand but he will play. Left-arm pacer Aniket Choudhary is expected to debut for the hosts.
Rajasthan's chances will depend on how the veteran trio of Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Aakash Chopra and Rashmi Parida and young Ashok Menaria bat.
The match acquires a greater significance given the Rest of India have seven players who will turn out against the visiting England in the upcoming ODI series. Apart from skipper Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, R Vinay Kumar and Rahul Sharma are in for the first two ODIs.
